The use of a brown paper bag to determine if a black African is light enough to gain admittance to a party or organization. If said African's skin tone is lighter than or the same color as a brown paper bag then they are judged worthy to enter the party(as in a social event, not a political party) or be admitted into the organization, such as a fraternity.

"Girl, don't you go thinkin' 'bout joinin' no Gamma Rays, you is darker than de night sky on a moonless night, you ain't never gonna pass the paper bag test."